'Dialogue Night' To Help Teens & Adults Discuss Alcohol

The Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse is scheduled to host a "Dialogue Night" for adults to center on the topic of teen alcohol use, and how to discuss the issue with their children.

The evening's discussion — to focus on “It’s 21 for a Reason” initiative, which has a goal of delaying the age of first alcohol use in teens, is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the 

Small group discussions will center around teen alcohol use, its impact on the developing adolescent brain, and reasonable rules that both teens and adults can agree on. The discussions will be led by trained facilitators, with the participation of high school teenagers who will be there to share their perspective and experience.

As an important part of the Municipal Alliance’s substance abuse prevention activities, Dialogue Nights give teens and adults the opportunity to discuss issues that directly affect teens, and the adults who relate to them, according to a news release from the Municipal Alliance.

"It provides a positive forum to help bridge the gap between teens and adults on subjects like discipline, communication, mistakes and imperfections, expectations, honesty, and experimentation," the release said. 

Following an introduction to the evening’s themes, participants will break into small group discussions, before coming back together as a large group to wrap up the session.

For more information about the Dialogue Night, contact Municipal Alliance Vice-Chairperson Kathy Kelly at (908) 204-3068 or kathy.kelly@bernards.org.

The stated mission of the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse is to provide consultation, programs, training and resources to members of the Bernards Township community. The overall goal is to prevent and reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through education, support of events and programs and presence in the community, the release said. For more information, visit the Municipal Alliance website.